"What? That Sixth-grade Alchemist in Wutan City is also surnamed Yao?" Han Feng was stunned the instant he heard the news.
He thought, This tiny Jia Ma Empire doesn't even rank among the third-rate empires on the Dou Qi Continent, yet it actually has a Sixth-grade Alchemist?
Han Feng was astonished, but also curious.
"The other party is surnamed Yao too..."
Could he also be from the Yao Clan? Han Feng was intensely curious and wanted to investigate. Perhaps he should find an opportunity to visit that Alchemist in Wutan City.
Han Feng suddenly sneered. "Old Man Yin Gu actually won a Sect-Breaking Pill at auction. Heh, looks like I'll have to find an opportunity to pay him a visit too."
"I'm already at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Emperor level. I need a pill that can help me break through to Dou Zong. This Sect-Breaking Pill is extremely precious."
"That old geezer, Old Man Yin Gu, won't be able to enjoy it."
Han Feng set out at once. If he could break through to Dou Zong, his influence in the Black-Corner Region would surge.
The other forces would also value him far more than before.
Even the sects that opposed him would have to reconsider their strength.
In Wutan City, over the next few days, the sale of the Sect-Breaking Pill caused Mr. Yao's name to ring throughout the city.
And it wasn't just Wutan City. The news spread throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.
Yao Chen was completely indifferent. He didn't think it was anything worth making a fuss over. Back in the day, Yao Chen had been the foremost Alchemist in the Central Plains.
He was the master of Starfall Pavilion, the famed Venerable Yao of the Dou Qi Continent.
So what if he had earned some influence and renown in this tiny Jia Ma Empire? He didn't care in the slightest.
Besides, Yao Chen had already reached the Dou Sheng level.
At that moment, in the Jia Ma Empire's Imperial City, Jia Ma Holy City, within the Nalan Clan,
Nalan Jie and Nalan Su had spent the past few days mulling over the same matter: Yao Chen could refine Sixth-Grade Pills, and he was also a Dou Zong.
Most likely, someone like him wasn't from the Jia Ma Empire.
In other words, Mr. Yao could very well be an Alchemist from another part of the continent.
That meant he might have a powerful force or sect backing him. The more Nalan Jie thought about it, the more he wanted to win Yao Chen over and show him goodwill.
So he said, "Mr. Yao is definitely someone our Nalan Family will need to rely on for a long time to come!"
"I'm sure the major forces throughout the Jia Ma Empire will make their move, including the overbearing Misty Cloud Sect. Just wait and see."
"That's for sure." Nalan Su nodded, then looked at his father, Nalan Jie.
"Father, what should we do next? Yanran sent word that she went to Wutan City in person to visit Mr. Yao, but was turned away."
"Moreover, Yanran even made a special trip back to the Misty Cloud Sect and asked Yun Yun to approach him in her capacity as the Cloud Mist Sect Leader. But he turned her away too."
"He seems to look down even on the Misty Cloud Sect, that colossus of our Jia Ma Empire. He clearly couldn't care less."
"It seems our Nalan Family has little hope of building a good relationship with Mr. Yao," Nalan Su said.
"Alas! If that's really the case, then it seems our Nalan Family has little hope of forming a bond with Mr. Yao."
Nalan Jie sighed, looking disappointed.
"Still, it's not entirely impossible. I heard there are traces of Heavenly Flames in the Tagor Desert. If we can seize one and give it to Mr. Yao, perhaps we can earn his favor!"
"Heavenly Flames!"
"Indeed, that's a good idea. Heavenly Flames are incredibly precious, even to experts at the Dou Zong level."
"This is certainly worth serious consideration."
"But seizing a Heavenly Flame won't be easy..." Nalan Jie sighed.
After all, the Tagor Desert was the territory of the Snake People Tribe and Queen Medusa.
Ordinary people would need to be at least Dou Huang level to venture there.
Otherwise, if they couldn't beat Queen Medusa, they might well perish in that place.
"True."
"But we could combine our strength with the Misty Cloud Sect's. Yanran's teacher, Yun Yun, and Pill King Gu He could lend their strength too. That might give us a better chance."
"Then we should have Yanran come back so we can discuss it properly. That would be the safest course," Nalan Jie said.
"Understood, Father. I'll notify Yanran right away. Don't worry."
"Good. I'll leave it to you." Nalan Jie nodded.
Yao Chen naturally knew nothing about the Nalan Family's situation, but as a Dou Sheng, he had no need to.
To him, the Nalan Family was no more than a fart.
Even the Misty Cloud Sect, a colossus in the Jia Ma Empire, was no different. They were all just ants.
After receiving word from her father, Nalan Su, Nalan Yanran immediately discussed the matter with her teacher, Yun Yun, and Pill King Gu He.
Pill King Gu He nodded. Although he also wanted to obtain a Heavenly Flame,
he knew how enticing a Heavenly Flame was to an Alchemist. But compared to earning the goodwill of a Dou Zong expert, he still preferred the latter.
"I think Yanran's suggestion is excellent. Heavenly Flames are precious, but if we can seize one and give it to Mr. Yao..."
"Then earning the favor of a Dou Zong expert would be well worth it."
"Besides, this Dou Zong expert can refine the Sect-Breaking Pill, which helps a peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor overcome the bottleneck and reach the Dou Zong level!" Pill King Gu He said.
"Good. In that case, Yanran, tell your father that Gu He and I agree."
"Yes, Teacher!" Nalan Yanran nodded.
Then Nalan Yanran left the Misty Cloud Sect with Yun Yun, Gu He, and the others, and went to the Nalan Family.
They would discuss the plan to travel to the Tagor Desert in search of a Heavenly Flame.
Seated in the hall, Nalan Jie explained the general plan. Yun Yun and Gu He had no objections.
They shared the same goal: to use the Heavenly Flame to earn Yao Chen's favor.
"Good, then it's settled. Let's set out at once!"
"If we run into Queen Medusa, Cloud Mist Sect Leader, I'll have to count on you. After all, you're the only Dou Huang among us!"
Queen Medusa was the ruler of the Snake People Tribe, and she possessed the strength of a Dou Huang.
Even Yun Yun couldn't say for certain that she could subdue Queen Medusa. She could only do her best.